Sobosobo Serafina!

from w
They certainly like pickin' on women these days! Isa, Serafina.
Fiji Times reporter released
Sunday, August 10, 2008

Update: 1:00PM Fiji Times northern reporter Serafina Salaitoga has been released by police officers in Labasa half an hour ago after been taken into custody for questioning.

It is believed that Ms Salaitoga was taken in for questioning on an article that was published in yesterday's Fiji Times, on Labasa businessman Charan Jeath Singh challenging interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry to tell the nation if he still has a Cabinet post.

Fiji Times Editor-in-Chief Netani Rika said it was a sad day when a minister of States order is complied by the police force.

"It is a sad day when a minister of State can basically order them to investigate people and police comply with it.

"I am glad she (Ms Salaitoga) is now safe and that she has been released but I am disappointed despite our cooperation with authorities last night about eight police officers turned up at her home this morning and took her from her family.

"No consideration that her children were watching and that she is pregnant, she had told them she would rather have a legal representative present before answering any questions and the fact that they chose to threaten her if she did not answer their questions is a matter of concern," he said.

Mr Rika added the concern was not only for Fiji Times but for the community as a whole.

"We do not wish anyone in the community to be subjected to such a treatment, this despite we were willing to cooperate with the police.

"We basically are looking after Serafina and her family, caring for her and letting her spend time with her family," he said.

Police spokesperson Ema Mua when contacted told Fiji Times that she has to get an update from the Labasa Police Station before making any comments.

When questioned if the directive was given by Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni, Ms Mua said: "I'll have to deny that."